Men VIA: shelter for male victims of THB (Austria)

Search within English part of Teamwork against trafficking for labour exploitation

Until 2014, there were no specific services and shelter available to male victims of trafficking in human beings (THB) in Austria. Now, Men VIA offers specific support for trafficked men, including an emergency shelter.

Men VIA was established by the organisation MEN’s Health Centre, supported by the NGO LEFÖ-IBF and financed by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Partners involved in the cooperation

MEN was the responsible association

LEFÖ-IBF provided coaching and support

‘Counselling for MEN’ cooperated with psychosocial and legal assistance

charity health care centres provided a doctor

the police accepted the project as point for referral

the Ministry of Social Affairs offered financial support.

What made this practice successful?

Identification of men as victims of THB was problematic when the police did not yet have a facility they could refer identified male victims to. This problem has now been solved, with police referring male victims to Men VIA. Men VIA offers safe accommodation, health care, and psychosocial assistance during witness questioning and court proceedings.